Chelsea look set to lose the experienced trio of Willian, Pedro Rodriguez and Olivier Giroud at the end of the season, with their contracts running out and no extensions in sight.
Their impending exits will rob Chelsea off two FIFA World Cup winners in Pedro and Giroud, while Willian is one of the club’s longest serving players, having arrived from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013.
Chelsea’s inability to sign players at the start of the season has allowed Lampard to rely on a lot of young players, but Cole believes keeping some of the experienced heads around will augur well for the club.
Cole cited Manchester United as an example for Chelsea to follow, with the Old Trafford outfit known for keeping experienced players long into the twilight of their careers to guide young ones.
The ex-England international told The Sun: “We’ve credited the young players at Chelsea because they’ve come through, burst onto the scene and been amazing.
“But Giroud, Willian and Pedro are three top class players who have been really massive for the club, particularly Willian, who’s a club legend, the players and the fans love him.
“I hope they can hang onto that experience – if they want to be part of this new, exciting team that they’re building.
“They can use that experience in the same way that Manchester United hung onto Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville.
“If they can accept that role where they’re coming in – that they might not play as much as they used to but they’re helping blood an era which could be as good as any era in the club’s history - then there’s a role to play for all of them.
“I think they’re all world-class players and it would be tough for any club to replace those three.”
